Can Vietnam's Schools Learn From Singapore?

Reopening schools in Covid-19 affected countries will require many considerations. What can countries that have closed their schools learn from Singapore where schools have stayed open throughout the Covid-19 pandemic - now... and for when they plan to reopen?

What travel restrictions apply to staff and students in Singapore?

Travel restrictions, which apply to all residents (including staff and students) are very strict in both countries and are subject to change on a daily basis. Extra vigilance is required at this time of year; many schools in Singapore are on spring break during March and April.

Both countries are discouraging any non-essential travel, and families who do head overseas risk a 14-day quarantine on their return. Parents should also be mindful that quarantine may apply if their son or and daughter is returning from university in the UK and other countries on the restricted list.

The Singapore Ministry of Education has asked all students to declare all completed and planned travel to all countries between February 1 and July 31, 2020. This will ensure that schools can respond in cases of student travel to any countries where new outbreaks of COVID-19 may arise.

In Singapore, anyone with travel history to Mainland China (outside of Hubei), Daegu and Cheongdo in South Korea, Iran, Northern Italy, ASEAN countries, Japan, Switzerland or the UK within the last 14 days will be served a Stay-Home Notice (SHN). This means that they must stay in their place of residence at all times for a 14-day period.

The Ministry of Health says: “This is because of the risk of community transmission in these countries and evidence of cases that have been imported from these countries into Singapore.”

As the number of infected cases continues to increase globally, there has been a rise in imported cases in Singapore. This could see changes to the above lists at any time, so it’s never been more important for parents to be vigilant and for schools to deliver clear and up-to-date communication.